Family Meal Hospitality Trust's annual 'A Cook's Tour' to raise money to assist hospitality workers

Proceeds go toward community resources for hospitality workers

From 6:30-9 p.m. June 20 at Kleinhans Music Hall, Family Meal Hospitality Trust is hosting the third annual “A Cook’s Tour” to raise money to assist hospitality workers in need.

After taking two years off due to the pandemic, Family Meal Hospitality Trust is bringing back “A Cook’s Tour.” Attendees can expect a silent auction, a DJ, a live chef auction, food, beer, wine and cocktail samples from local restaurants, along with food trucks outside. All tickets come with two drink tickets. VIP ticketholders are granted early admission at 5:30 p.m., access to the VIP lounge and a T-shirt.

“June 25 will be Anthony Bourdain's 66th birthday. ‘A Cook's Tour’ Buffalo is a small way for Buffalo's hospitality industry to celebrate his legacy,” said Jill Gedra, co-founder and executive director of Family Meal Hospitality Trust. “The chef who influenced us as a community and a city. He not only influenced us, but has inspired us to stand up, not just stand by.

“We are coming together for the third year as a community, not only to honor him, but also to provide the opportunity for Buffalonians to experience the passion we share as a close-knit food and beverage community.”

In past years, “A Cook’s Tour” has raised $37,000 for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and $30,000 for crisis services. This year’s event is dedicated to the Family Meal Hospitality Trust. All funds raised from the event will go toward this local nonprofit to assist Buffalo's Hospitality Industry workers in need.

Tickets for the third annual “A Cook’s Tour” are currently available online at Brown Paper Tickets. 

Family Meal Hospitality Trust is a nonprofit charity organization designed to help hospitality industry workers in need. Its goal is to host fundraising events or "family meals" at partner restaurants throughout the year to raise money to someday offer things like health insurance, rehabilitation and money management, or assist in paid leave when there is a catastrophic event. More information can be found on its website.